US President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the US is in support of global institution reform efforts, including the conferring of permanent membership to India in a reformed UN Security Council (UNSC).
Biden made this statement during the Quad Leaders Summit attended by PM Modi, Japan’s PM Fumio Kishida, and Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese.
Quad Leaders Advocate For UN Security Council Reform
In a joint statement, the Quad leaders committed themselves to increasing not only permanent but also non-permanent memberships to reform the UN Security Council. They laid emphasis on the fact that the India-US partnership would form the bedrock of building a cleaner, more inclusive, secure, and prosperous future for the world.
Biden Appreciates PM Modi’s Leadership
President Biden welcomed and appreciated the leadership of India under PM Modi, saying he has been reaching out to Poland and Ukraine recently. The discussion around India’s potential permanent membership in the UNSC forms part of a larger process of reforming global institutions that is necessary for more accurately reflecting today’s geopolitical reality. With a large population, a fast-growing economy, and very significant participation in UN peacekeeping and diplomacy, India has long advocated for such reforms.
Reaffirming commitment to free navigation and trade protection, including critical maritime routes in the Middle East, the leaders announced that India would lead the Combined Task Force 150 in 2025 in collaboration with the Combined Maritime Forces to secure sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.
PM Modi Highlighted The Importance Of Free And Inclusive Indo-Pacific
Again, PM Modi underlined the importance of a “free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific” at the Quad summit. Though touching on initiatives focused on health security, emerging technologies, and climate change in order to tackle global challenges, he described the Quad as a “force for global good,” dedicated to cooperation for everybody’s benefit.
The US and India are collaborating in the development of clean energy manufacturing and the overall strengthening of both their technological and industrial bases. The Biden Administration announced that it would unlock $1 billion in new multilateral financing through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or IBRD, in the clean energy programs in India.
